The pavement is being relaid as part of the County Hall project, and Outdoor Traders are closed until 21st April getting a makeover.
The Abingdon Bowls Centre has recently closed on East St helen Street. I hear the man running it has retired . Instead, an Outdoor Traders sign has re-appeared there too. That is where they traded before moving to larger premises.
So it could well be that Outdoor Traders are about to open on two fronts.
On Sunday 400 crews came to Abingdon to row the 2000 meters from Culham Lock to Wilsham Road as part of the 2012 Spring Head of the River time-trial.
The Abingdon Rowing Club don’t get to row as they are all busy officiating.
It is an early season event but in this picture it looks like a race away from Didcot A before the smouldering giant finally blows.
These guys made it to the finishing line.
After their race, our Abingdon stewards asked boats to keep moving. There is no real time for a post mortem. “I’m so sorry, I just lost it totally near the end. ”
The 400 crews, 100 in each of 4 times slots, row back to the landing stages in Rye Farm Meadow.
Carry their own boat back to the trailer.
Only then is there the chance to put their feet up.
There was a lot going on in Abingdon this weekend. I was taking pictures of the Abingdon Head of The River rowing event – pictures of that tomorrow – and so arrived at the Abingdon Freewheeling Spring Festival after a lot of people had left. 
But it was a great pleasure to meet the Didcot Phoenix CC and see their stall. They have 70-80 members and do time trials and club rides. Their regular Sunday ride was to start at Abingdon Market Place today for a change.
The town crier had what should become the town crier’s bike. He saw it a while back and borrowed it for the event. He is stood between two young ladies who were there to promote cycling safety. Be seen!
Abingdon Freewheeling had lots of rides on offer this year: 4, 10, 27 & 50 mile road rides and 12 & 22 mile off-road rides. This is the leader of the 27 mile road ride with tandem.
Beyond Bars Cycles (to be found in Coxeters) were there with a large stand and a large assortments of bikes. They were also doing repairs on alien bikes.
Lastly the Kings Head and Bell were serving some tasty food. Perhaps a chance to ask you to put World Fairtrade Day in your diaries as there is a link ….
World Fairtrade Day is Saturday 12th May, and the Abingdon Fairtrade group is holding a Fairtrade Continental Breakfast at the KH&B. Steve (Kings Head and Bell) is donating the breakfast and the venue free of charge. Debbie (Patisserie) will supply croissants and Waitrose will provide the Fairtrade fruit. In return you can just come a long and maybe give a donation to a Traidcraft charity. I’ll remind you nearer the event.
The world came to Abingdon today to throw buns in the first ever World Bun Throwing Championship. Richard Gottfried, who has been to every bun throwing since 1980, and who writes the World of Bun Throwing Blog, was there having a go.
A long queue of people formed waiting to throw buns.
Olympics and Jubilee, a pair of West Highland Terriers, came to to watch. Collectively they are known as Jubilolympia.
Everybody could have a go. There were competitions for all different ages and genders of people.
The event was the idea of Mike Badcock, Mayor of Abingdon. Bill Reynolds, the Radio Oxford reporter, was there to do a running commentary.
There were some very good throwers. 50 meters was often beaten.
The World record – for both genders – was probably broken on several occasions – unofficially. I think we need some stricter rules next year to get that into the Guiness Book of Records. Less compressing buns into rock buns.
The longest throw in the younger age groups was I think 52 meter 60. It was not this young lad.
The longest throw in the adults section was 57 meters 80 cm. I think this is the winning thrower.
Awesome bun throwing! Could only happen in Abingdon.